Tributes pour in for Michael Ryan, of Gravesend, known as The Shuffle Man, who has died aged 85
Published: 15:00, 28 November 2017
Updated: 15:04, 28 November 2017
Tributes have flooded in for the man, best known as the shuffler, who has died.
Michael Ryan, 85, of Arthur Street, Gravesend, was best known in the town for his routine shuffle to a bench at the crossroads on Wrotham Road and Old Road West, where he often watched the day pass.
Floral tributes have been placed on the seat where he was commonly spotted by drivers and passersby.
His daughter, Janet Bagley, left a tribute which said: “With lots of love to you. Will really miss you, Love you.”
Mr Ryan passed away on Sunday after a battle with illness.
Over the summer he was moved to a residential home and his daughter Mrs Bagley revealed people would call up to see if they could visit him.
Another tribute said: “Granddad, you will be missed so much, lots of love.”
“Rest in peace Grandad, Love from Jack,” was another message left among the tributes.
Hundreds of people took to social media to pay their respects to Mr Ryan, with many saying they would often wave at him and one family buying him a Christmas beer every year.
Mrs Bagley said she had been overwhelmed with the kind messages and couldn't believe how popular Mr Ryan had become since moving to the town from Ireland 10 years ago.
She said: "Given how kind everyone has been to him I felt it was only right to let them know he had passed away. Lots of people would regularly ask me how he was."
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Daniel Green